Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: cheddarpaul on May 15, 2005, 18:20:17
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Hey there... we are 1 week into our new allotment and I have managed to blag the use of a rotovator to turn the soil over, got some beans in and cut back a rather ugly hedge from some gooseberry bushes already on the site.
In one of the other posts someone mentioned a DVD which seems to cover some of the basics. And at my level there is nothing more basic than what I do, or do not, know!
Can anyone tell me where to get it from?
Also, will be out buying some seeds this week and wondered where to get them cheaply and what to plant? I quite fancy some spring onions, onions and potatos. What will be least risk to me?
Thanks y'all.
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can't help on the DVD front but Wilkinsons are good for cheap seeds. Also Instore if you have one near you. I think you may be too late this year for onions (although if you can get hold of some sets it may be worth a try). You could also have a go at courgettes and carrots. Spuds are brilliant too - it is like digging for treasure!
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Try this..
http://www.allotment.info/
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I've got this set of DVD's and I really enjoy watching them. With DVD's you can dib in to bits you'd like to see again. They are very good for beginners and there's something for everyone. The bits about peoples' sheds are good. I'd definitely recommend it. :) I ordered mine via the internet and it came within a couple of days. Follow the link from the previous post
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hi there
i am new to this it is my first year and i have the DVD and it is ace it is called" THE ALLOTMENT " It is made buy ITVwest and is 5hours and 50 mins long and it is on three DVDS and is well worth the pennys
you can get it buy it on this website www.allotment.info
get it bort and enjoy ;D
you could even look on that small website called ebay ;)
matt 8)
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Seems you are all sorted on the DVD front.
As for planting now, any seeds that you can sow direct, so lettuce, radish, spring onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips and so on....as for spuds, well, it is a touch late I guess, altho Kitchen garden mag reakon they still plant into June, so maybe if you have some sprouted spuds at the ready....
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Well I will be out this week buying spring onions, parsnips and lettuce seeds - any advice on planting them? I told you, I am a complete beginner at this and need ALL the help I can beg!
Thanks
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put them in the soil and see if they grow ;)
that works for me lol ;D
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I can also recommend the allotment series on DVD. I bought mine last week from ebay, when i looked the seller was the guy who presented the series which was a bit sureal, the DVD was brand new and signed, not that it would make it anymore valuable. I like the series but some episodes do go off at a tangent which is not specifically related to growing things which is what i really wanted it for, nevertheless quite enjoyable.
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I think it goes off at a tangent just to keep you watching something different. Some people don't like to concentrate too hard for very long. The whole thing is just in very short bursts so at least if you don't like that particular bit you know it won't last long. I watch it when I'm ironing (which is loathe and detest) and I stick to the task much longer ;D
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We have also found the DVDs to be most useful but irritating in places (we'd like to shoot the arty-farty geek who poses on top of his shed reading poetry!)
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Oh it's his shed and he clearly is barmy but it takes all sorts ;D I think the "what's in my shed" bits of the DVD's are great. You get the impression from watching these that lotty folk are pleasant but slightly off kilter. I'm sure I am and my previously non-gardening OH is definitely heading that way. :)
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Will keep an eye out for the DVD. I have also been told that the Vegetable and Herb Expert book is a must for newbies... can anyone agree with this?
Mind you, might be a bit late since I already have runner beans, cabage, carrots and salad onions in -and putting lettuce in tonight!! Oops....
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The 'Expert' books are useful, but read them with discretion. Apparently they're produced by some chemical company, and there's a slight overemphasis (to say the least!) on the use of chemicals.
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naaaaaah.....you want 'joy larkcombs-grow your own vegetables'-but you'll enjoy the dvd as well-we do!-yes-the bloke on his shed is nuts...arent we all..?
well,i'm not but the rest of you are! ;D
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I ordered the DVD this Monday and it arrived on Wednesday, I spent that afternoon watching the whole 5.5hrs and thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me smile at times, even the chap on the roof.
Isn't it amazing what people have in their sheds. I think the sheds bit was made into a separate programme altogether.
The one thing that was evident throughout the programmes was the smile on everyone face, doing something they love.
I thought the chap in his 90's was a sweety and I hope to live as long as he has. Perhaps that's the secret of life, getting an Allotment.
I'd love to take a year out of work like the lady Aza. And what about the chap that sifted his whole allotment :o :o :o :o :o
I can recommend the DVD.
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I watch it while I'm ironing :) I like the what's in my shed bit and the bit at the end when they cook something. I like the presenter who doesn't like weeding or digging. Man after my own heart :)
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Dont laugh but on one of the satellite channels there was a whole series of programs dedicated to sheds - called Shedheads or sommit. Fascinating stuff indeed! If I can just find a little 6x4 or even 4x4 for my own plot it would mean I dont have to keep taking the car up there.
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I like the allotment DVD - but my other half can't bear it. He hates the music, the whats in my shed bit - and calls the presenter man "pumpkin head". Apparently it doesn't focus on anything for long enough...
I am only allowed to watch it when he is not around.
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I think the music is good, specially the jazz guitar. I find it very relaxing indeed :)
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watched the 1st disc. I have decided that the presenter fellow is mad as a goat. Why grow stuff in containers on an allotment??? even if you do get them free from the chip shop or whatever. And he does'nt like beetroot, mad I say.
The music is quite astonishingly horrendous ;D
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i must say i have to agree with you there ::)-its hypnotic in its awfulness!.......it lulls you into a stupor!
but-even with that,i like it a lot and watch it to relax-theres nothing like looking at other peoples lotties to spark off ideas... ;D
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Why not grow stuff in containers on an allotment? Seems perfectly normal to me!
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Why not grow stuff in containers on an allotment? Seems perfectly normal to me!
Me too, im growing salad leaves and rocket sown in a deep tub, have to say there coming on nicely. Makes sense to grow stuff in portable containers and not use up your established beds, especially if your plot is not very big.
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David r I think you have missed the point with the presenter growing in tubs and things. ::)
The plot he had was over grown never been tended for a while and was taken over late in the season ;D
Apart from that i dont find growing things in containers on an allotment weird.
Wardys idea of the rubble sacks is a brilliant idea I have three of them with Marrows and cougettes in them.
When needs must, use what ever there is around.
Ron
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here here ron owt for nowt give me a shout if it is free give it two me 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D
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seconded sluggy! ;D
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ok, well and truly told off.
My point is that tubs and pots need more care so if you not fortunate to make it to the lotty as often as one would wish, the pots will not look after themselves as well as the ground based plants. For obvious reasons the plants cannot source the water and nutrients and rely far more on the care afforded them. Fair enough if you have run out of space but the allotment is a piece of ground, and it seems odd that if you have ground, why use pots.
Dont get me wrong, I use pots myself, at home - great toms and figs - but the fella seemed to be wasting uncultivated ground in favour of pots.
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naah!we werent 'avin a go david!just personal preferences! ;) :-*
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Hello David :) the bloke on the DVD has a bad back and said that he wouldn't be digging or weeding but the challenge would be to see how the plot worked out in the first year. He reviews his progress and it did very well and he managed to produced lots of food.
I've had a rotten bad back this year and the dvd gave me the inspiration to have a go. I have managed to grow radishes and all sorts of lettuce in boxes and my spuds in fertilizer bags have plenty of foliage on them. I have covered some of the plot with cardboard and black plastic and I pulled it back the other day and it's done a really good job in clearing the weeds for me. There were a couple of wilting dandelions so I think I'll be able to plant in it by the end of the month. I'm not digging it just planting into the compacted soil with a bulb planter (also shown on the DVD) I have planted my broad beans and peas the same way. My back is somewhat better but I still don't feel like digging so I might have to plant up in growbags and such
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i think you're wise not to dig wardy-backs are delicate things once they've been injured-and if you can get the same results with the 'no-dig 'method then go for it!
i think theres a book i've seen somewhere about no-dig-you could look into permaculture too!
kitty :)
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Ta very much - I'll look out for it. My back is awful again today and back on pain killers again. Too much gyratin at the Rod concert on Sunday night on top of two days standing outside flogging plants over the weekend. Paying guests in over the weekend and Monday and Today so am feeling somewhat tatered ;D
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must check out the two remaining dvd's to see how he got on............still reckon he's mad though!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D :P
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But that's part of the attraction David, he's like a demented gnome. Makes good watching though, even if parts of it drive you mad and there are some helpful tips.
MM
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I like it. The guy is a man after my own heart - no digging and no weeding ;D Plus he doesn't care about his detractors. He's growing stuff and that's what counts.He seems to be enjoying it was well :)
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So it seems I need to buy and watch this DVD not only for the useful, insightful help it will give me, but also to see a real life nutter being allowed infront of a camera!! Cant wait lol
So where can I get a copy of the DVD?
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You can get it, that's if you really, really want it, from www.allotment.info/links.htm ;D
The presenters aren't nutters - they're normal like us ;D They are knowledgeable plotties though and know their onions. I like watching it very much - it's gentle and relaxed just like meself :)
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they ARE just like us-nutters an'all!
i think its great-even the irritating music is growing on me...like a fungus! ;D
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You have to feel sorry for the chap when he goes on holiday and looses all his Butternut Squashes because of none watering. It's a good DVD which I have lent to my fellow lottie partner.
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The Governor has put the DVD on my birthday present list...in November :( ...so I guess I will have someting to watch during the winter months ;D
When you read all the posts about the various pests, vandals, bad seasons, bad weather, frosts...and there we are, all still there, gardening away...wouldn't you say that the madness is infectious ;) ;D
Derek
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Oh definitely. My OH has made a barmy bean support and he's usually very staid and normal (unlike me). He has also built an extension to our air raid shelter. Why? I have no idea ;D It serves no purpose whatsoever :)
My lotty neighbour once planted a row of cabbage stalks upside down and labelled them Australian cabbages ;D
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So the question is....Which came first? The madness or the lottie??
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I am unanimous - the lotty! ;D
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i concur the lottie ;D ;)
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Oh I don't know about that, I've always been as mad as a march hare, you ask kitty ;D
MM
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I like the daft clothes folk wear on the allotment, myself included. I met up with two girls who have a plot next door but one to me and we were all standing talking and it was blowing a gale so we were all wearing hats. What a motley collection of headgear we had on! No make up and faces red with cold, wet hair flopping down our foreheads - we did look tasty. We all agreed we looked a right state and that we could have a more elegant hobby that didn't involve dresssing like scarecrows. A bloke near me gardens in kasbah type pants (a la Aladdin) and they billow out in the wind but are tight at the ankle. Half mast and really look well with his socks and bare leg showing, and he tops this ensemble off with a pale blue balaclava (no doubted knitted by his mother) ;D We should take photos of our worst and post them in the gallery.
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I feel quite smart wearing my paint splattered overalls..
One guy on our lottie wears jeans which must have been used to clean a steam engine - all nicely open at the flies for all to see
So, I agree...lets see photos of the lottie movements finest!
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I've always been as mad as a march hare,
madder i'd say.......
the other evening i'd stopped operations and was winding down for the evening-got me pj's on(bhs mens checked ones..if you really want to know...)
and i remembered something i had to do-well-i was just nipping out wasnt i?so i popped oh's dennis the menace slippers on...just nipping out to do this one job you see...and-well-it was a bit chilly so i put me biiiiiig red cardy on over me pj's(the cardys the one i wear when i dont feel well and i need a bit of comfyness).....0,and i thought-the wind was nippy so i grabbed the first hat available..which happened to be an alpaca peruvian job that one of our late cats,doris ,used to carry round in her mouth a lot-so its seen better days..
well...one thing led to another and i was still out there an hour late..and the chairman of the parish council popped into the garden to tell me about the pc meeting..
i wondered why conversation was a bit stilted...
when i got in i realised what i was wearing.....
oh said when he saw chairman jim coming down the path he hid and watched.. :-[
will i ever regain my reputation as a snappy dresser?
did i ever have it? ;D
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I bet your old man was tittering in your shrubbery. Bet your parish council bloke thought you were as mad as a wasp ;D Have you noticed that you always see all the folks you'd rather not see when you have your scruffiest clothes on? I always have scruffy clothes on though. I went to a concert the other week and got me best clothes out of mothballs, donned me danglers and went out. Spoke to bloke who I litter pick with , sell plants with, garden with etc and he DID NOT recognise me :o " (ex RAF pilot - very posh) I wasn't wearing my bobble hat yersee ;D
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lol!
the trouble is wardy when you get to the stage that you put yer bobble hat on and forget the rest of your togs! ;D
i'm afraid i never try to look smart-YSL would have a job with me!i tend to go for'clean' rather then smart.....
i always have either soil or paint smeared about my person somewhere....usually,when i have a large smear of paint making me look like adam ant across me mush and we get home-i say to the oh-why didnt you say i had paint on my face-he'll say(wait for this!!!)
'I THOUGHT YOU KNEW!!!'
RIIIIIIIIGHT!!!yes-of course i KNEW-i thought it was a good idea...i wanted to look like a right berk in the co-op..thought it would lure men left and right,stunned by my obvious beauty,enhanced by ultramarine blue streaked across me face like a badly made up ancient briton who hasn't quite got the hang of woad.
::)
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Kitty You do make me laugh ;D Talking of looking daft I was with my old man on hols once in the days when he cut a dash on the beach with his long tanned limbs and lovely wavy hair. He kept having to scramble down lizard-like from his hot rock where he was basking, and showing off his muscles, to keep cooling himself in the briny. Anyway he was standing there in front of all the folks on the beach who we'd gone with on the coach trip and his trunks were literally in shreds and all his bare, white a r s e was poking through. He was standing on the foreshore preening himself and we were all behind him tittering ;D ;D ;D
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truly making an a r s e of himself!!! ;D